How to Get eBooks for Free

So I am obsessed with my Kindle. I think it is the greatest invention ever. I have always enjoyed reading, but for some reason this makes it so much easier. I have an older version… which I still love, I do want to upgrade but right now, I don’t use it enough to justify buying a new one. I plan to step up my reading over the summer, so I wanted to freshen up a post I wrote about getting free ebooks a long time ago.

A big reason why I love my Kindle so much, is because I can get almost any book out there for FREE through the library! It always surprises me how few people actually know about this. (in fact, you don’t even need a Kindle)

You don’t have to go to the library either, you just need a computer, tablet or smart phone.

To start, go to the Overdrive Media Console website or Overdrive app and find the library closest to you. The easiest way is to just search your library based on county. (For example: search ‘broward library overdrive’… if you live in Broward county) You will need a digital library card number, which is actually the number on your regular library card. That’s how you log in.

Then you can search through books, by clicking the menu button on the upper-right hand side of the screen, there are all different ways to search, new arrivals, browse by subject, etc. They have a number of different options, you can read the book through your Kindle, OverDrive read means you will read it through your browser, and ePub books work with the OverDrive app and iBooks.

Here’s what the page looks like when you check out a book.

After I click download as a Kindle format, it brings me to my Amazon home page. I click ‘Get Library Book’ and then it will be on my Kindle once I turn on the wif-fi or on my Kindle app.

If you are getting the book for your kindle, it automatically brings up your amazon account. Some books you have to plug-in your kindle to a USB to get the book, but most of the time all you have to do is put your wi-fi on. Also, you don’t even need a Kindle anymore, since there is a Kindle app. You get the books the same way, select ‘kindle’ as your format, and it will just show up on your app.

One downfalls of this is that most good books have wait lists, so I try to keep a good 8-10 books on my wait list. Once you get the rotation started, you will almost always have a book waiting or right about to become available.

Right now, the most popular book is The Girl on the Train. It shows 330 people are on hold, but the library has 281 digital copies, so this hold list should move pretty quickly. After you put yourself on the wait list, you will get an email when the book is ready and you have 5 days to check it out.

You only get 21 days to keep the book, which makes reading longer books tough. (for me at least) If the book is really good, and I am almost done, I will just ‘forget’ to turn my wi-fi on until I’m finished. Or if there’s not a long wait, or other copies of the book are already available I will just return it and check it right back out again. (once the book is back on your Kindle, it will automatically go to the same spot you left off)

You can also borrow audio books, I like to download those to my Overdrive app and plug my phone into my car and listen that way. So set up your summer reading plan, start your wait list and you are good to go! All the e-books you would ever want for FREE! Now that I am setting some reading goals, what good books have you read lately? Any must-haves I should have on my summer reading list?

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Comments

You just changed my {reading} life! One of my biggest problems with my Kindle (which I love dearly) is how quickly I go through books and how expensive they can be! No joke, I get through a book in 4 days, max, and then have to spend another $10-12 for another? No can do, so instead I just take long hiatuses from reading. Thank you so much for sharing this!!

I always assumed most people knew about it, but I was talking about the other day to people at work and they were all shocked! I think a lot of people have kind of forgotten about the library these days…

It is surprising more don't know about it! It's just like the real-life library–myself and my kiddos do SO much through the library (activities, exercise, play, classes, and on and on) along with getting books and movies because it's 100% free! It always baffled me more don't take advantage of it!

I get so intimidated to figure out the next thing. BUT when I finally made myself learn how to download books from my library, I was so glad! It makes it easy to access thousands more than your local library can carry as well. You did a great job walking us through the process. Thanks!

I just got a kindle for my bday last week and I love it! I used to use the Kindle app on the iPad and it was good but the actual kindle is soooo much better! Also, sign up for Amazon deals–they send you an email about very cheap and free ebooks every day. I have a bunch that I only paid 1.99 for!!

Excellent post. Love the free books. When I want to learn more about blogging, Social Media, etc I load those books into the carousel part of my kindle app on my tablet and read while working out at the gym. No need for wifi.

You are a genius! I have an iPad mini with the amazon app and I had to slow down because I was spending so much money. Growing up I would read so much and then as a teenager I stopped. Now that I am back to reading I am making up for lost time. Thanks for sharing this great tip!

Awesome blog post!! Thanks for sharing with your readers! I love discovering new books and saving money 🙂 My friend recently told me about OpenBooks.com. It is an entirely unique reading experience in that you pay based on what you feel a book is worth or quite simply, what you can afford. They have a HUGE variety of books to choose from and you are able to share the book for free with anyone you would like. It is a super easy process with no forms or login process and the books are compatible with most devices. I REALLY hope you will check it out because it is my new favorite way to find books (and it's saved me money too!).